Malia Heck, 13, of Fort Mitchell is the inspiration behind Malia's CORD Foundation, which funds research for better treatment and a cure for spinal cord tumors in young children.

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The lives of Dan and Kara Heck were forever changed when their daughter Malia was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor in 2002. She was 2 ½ years old.

The Fort Mitchell residents were distraught to learn that each year thousands of children, like Malia, are diagnosed with spinal cord tumors and have no options of safe treatment that provide a cure without debilitating consequences. Radiation is typically prescribed, but can prove devastating as the child grows, Dan said.

The Hecks, and Malia's grandparents Gerry and Linda Benzinger, set out to change that with Malia's CORD Foundation. ...